The Vancouver Canucks’ prospects will match up against the Seattle Kraken at this weekend’s Prospects Showcase in Abbotsford.
It’s a weekend for prospects to put their offseason training into action and battle other young players in what should be an exciting weekend of hockey. New Abbotsford Canucks Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou is the bench boss for the Canucks this weekend and is looking forward to seeing what the organization’s prospects can do in front of the home crowd.
“A lot of pride has to come with being able to put the [Canucks] jersey on,” said Papaioannou.
The new head coach is getting used to Rogers Forum being his new home and was pleased with the energy he saw from his players in Friday’s two-part practice.
Though it’s difficult to lock down systems and structure in one practice, the coach wants to see one thing from all his players this weekend.
“We talked to them about energy and an overriding theme of competitiveness,” said Papaioannou. “If you don’t know where to go on a forecheck... overriding theme. You forget where you’re going on a trap... overriding theme. We just kept going back to competitiveness.”
Braeden Cootes is always excited to put on a Canucks jersey and compete, and this weekend is no different for the 2025 first-round pick.
“I’m really excited. It’s been a while for a lot of us since we played a game,” said Cootes. “It’s our first time together as a group, so I’m really excited, and it’s a good start to the year.”
Cootes says he worked on every part of his game in the offseason but singled out his improved maturity on the ice. He also says he is bigger, stronger, and faster than last year.
“All the cliché things, but just a little more confidence too,” said Cootes when asked about what he has improved this summer. “Having a bit more swagger this time around.”
Adam Novotný was selected 24th overall in this summer’s NHL Entry Draft, and he is looking forward to the two games this weekend.
“It’s [an] awesome opportunity for me to play against another NHL team’s [prospects] and be with the guys again, and just do my best for the team,” said Novotný. “I’m very excited for this weekend and these two games. I can’t wait to give my best.”
Novotný had a busy summer with the draft, Canucks development camp, and summer training, but he comes in hungry to show his stuff a week ahead of training camp.
“Every minute here is a great experience for me. I’m trying to enjoy it and take as much as I can from it because it’s going to go by fast,” he said.
The Canucks’ roster features 14 players drafted by the organization and includes many names who will play for the Abbotsford Canucks and potentially the Vancouver Canucks this season.
